Kyrgyzstan's Election Highlights
Changes in Longtime President

By

Steve LeVine Staff Reporter of The Wall Street Journal

Updated Oct. 30, 2000 12:01 a.m. ET

BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan -- Once championed by the West as the democrat of Central Asia, President Askar Akayev is now accused of joining his neighbors in making elections in the strategic region largely irrelevant.

Mr. Akayev, 56, an outwardly genial physicist with thick eyebrows and a warm grin, faced five opponents Sunday in an election in which he is seeking a third five-year term. Final results are expected late Monday.